"On Aug. 3, the Najaf provincial council announced “its complete readiness
to receive displaced Christian families who have left their villages
and homes in Mosul.” The council affirmed that “appropriate housing will
be provided. Also, the Imam Ali Holy Shrine in Najaf and Imam Hussein
Holy Shrine in Karbala are ready to host Christian families, and indeed competent committees are being formed in the two holy cities."

"Al-Monitor learned from an official of the Red Crescent that the
province “has until now received more than 17,000 displaced, the
majority of whom are sheltered in Hussainiyat [congregation halls for
Shiite commemoration ceremonies], mosques, and other religious
buildings. They are receiving support from humanitarian institutions
affiliated [with] the Shiite authority, the Imam Ali Shrine and the
people of Najaf.” Al-Monitor met with two displaced Christian families
who affirmed that they were receiving services and aid, as other
displaced are.

"It is important to note that the two holy cities of Najaf and Karbala
were dominant Christian centers for centuries, where the ruins of old
churches are located, some of which date back to the second century. In
fact, until mid-20th century, some Christian and Jewish families were
still living in the two cities, without being subjected to any kind of
persecution or discrimination.

The flow of Christians into the two cities, if it continues, and their
potential settling there, will revive Iraqi plurality, which has been
decaying in the last years.

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About Me

I am an Associate Professor in History at Shippensburg University, where I teach courses in Middle Eastern and world history. My two major research areas are the Middle East from the 7th through 10th centuries and the Persian Gulf from ancient times to the present. Nothing on this site represents an official position of Shippensburg University.